Levi Bellfield: Dominic Raab seeks to block serial killer’s plans to marry in jail

His right to marry is protected under the ECHR’s article 12 and the decision rests with the prison governor and can generally only be refused if there is a safety risk or a legal objection such as marrying a relative.

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) lawyers believe there may be a chance to challenge under a provision in the Marriage Act that allows a governor to object to their building being used for a wedding.

This has, however, been potentially overridden by subsequent case law, which could allow Bellfield to mount a legal challenge in support of his human right to marry.

Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is sickened and appalled by this. His thoughts are with the family and loved ones of his victims. They are at the forefront of his mind following this difficult and disastrous news.”

Prisons minister Victoria Atkins described Bellfield as “an evil, evil monster who has left a trail of despair and grief in his wake.” “My heart goes out to the families because, yet again, this appalling human being is on the front pages (of newspapers) and they’re having to think about him,” she said.

Former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said the marriage plans “beggars belief.” He believed legal action could be taken under current laws to block them. “I would have thought robust application of the law would mean someone in this position should already expect their [human] rights to be qualified, not just b ecause of what they have done but where they are,” he said.

Bellfield was given a whole life term for murdering Ms McDonnell, 19, in 2003, and murdering Ms Delagrange, 22, and attempting to murder Kate Sheedy, 18, in 2004.

He was already serving this sentence when he went on trial for killing schoolgirl Milly, who was snatched from the street walking from school to her home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.

Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and killing the 13-year-old following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.

Prison marriages are rare but not unheard of. In 2017, Charles Bronson – one of the UK’s longest serving and most notorious prisoners – married former soap actor Paula Williamson.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange tied the knot with Stella Moris two months ago at Belmarsh high security jail while he awaits extradition to the US over espionage charges.